Anna Doubell spent 8 months as an Office Management Trainer at Maryknoll Sisters’ Center for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (MSCJPIC). A self-confessed Sinigang fan and nature lover, Anna tells us how it was like working with the Sisters in a developing country.

Hazel: So what’s Anna’s day in Baguio like?
Anna: It typically begins with a brisk walk around Dominican hill, where we live, followed by a “family” breakfast with the girls (Anna rents a house with fellow Baguio-based AYADs Sarah and Lou).  In January, I discovered that I could walk to work in half the time it took to take jeepneys. Although the walk is up and down some serious hills and past some vicious dogs, it keeps me away from traffic and pollution. It’s also a great way to exercise!

Sr. Margarita is usually my first student. I spend an hour or two with her, teaching her how to use PowerPoint, Google and Email, explaining all the icons on the screen to her, and assuring her that even though she might get a pop-up message, her computer is unlikely to spontaneously combust.

After Sr. Margarita’s lesson, my morning can go two ways: either a lesson with another staff member, or some free time for me to catch up on emails, reading or preparing for other lessons.  

I join the lay staff for lunch – typically vegetables from the garden, rice, and some sugar-laden, highly processed biscuits for treats.

After lunch, Nathaniel, the artist’s five year old son, is allowed to play with me.  When I began my assignment, he couldn’t speak any English.  Now he has a firm grip on “Games, Miss Anna?” (and I’m teaching him “G’day Mate”).  We play Sesame Street games on the Internet, which are a great way for him to learn counting, colours, shapes and patterns.  At 2pm he has his nap in my office and I teach another lesson.

I am usually the first one home at around 5pm.  Sarah, Lou and I prepare and eat dinner together, and often crash out in front of the laptop for an episode or two of whatever series we’re currently watching.

H: Let’s talk about your work with MSCJPIC. For those who like it simple, can you describe your assignment in 3 words?
A: It’s basically TNC: Teaching Nuns Computers. But in terms of describing my experience as a whole, it’s: Amusing, Surprising, Eye-opening.

H: How was it like working with the lovely ladies of Maryknoll?
A: The ladies of MSCJPIC have provided so much amusement, entertainment and support.  

Having never really had anything to do with nuns before, I didn’t know what to expect when I met Sr. Teresa and Sr. Margarita.  When I first met Sr. Teresa, she asked me if I drank wine and I said, somewhat tongue-tied, and trying desperately to make a good first impression, “Sometimes, with dinner.” She replied, “When I was in training, the brothers used to make wine and give it to us. Ooohhh, I enjoyed that.” My jaw dropped and I said “Sister, I didn't think you were allowed to drink!” And she said “Oh Anna, you have such conventional views!”

My views about Sisterhood were certainly challenged as I came to know them better.  Sr. Margarita, who is in her 70s, was so excited by the computer skills that I taught her.  The amount of research available on the internet just blew her away, and I had to stop her before she printed out “all this information!”.

H: Some would find it difficult to adjust working in a development setting. How was it for you?
A: The lay staff has been a constant source of support.  The relationships that I have developed are so different to what I would expect in a workplace in Australia.  It took about three months until I really felt like I was taken into the fold, and all office dynamics were explained to me, over a hilarious merienda session that left me totally gob-smacked.  It brought home to me all that we had been told about developing trust and relationships in order to have a fulfilling work experience.

H: What has been your fondest AYAD memory?
A: On my second day of work, my new colleagues gathered in my office to conduct a welcoming ritual. They had each accumulated mementos of Australia, and each spoke about the links that they have to Australia, including the relatives and friends that they have living there. Teacher Betty performed a speech, before the rest of the team contributed their prayers and wishes.  This ceremony made it really clear to me how different the work environment was going to be, particularly how the line between professional life and personal life was going to dissolve.

H: What’s next for you after AYAD?
A: I will be going back to my job in finance, in Sydney.  Although my house and job will be the same, I think that I will find it quite different, due to my own personal development, and what I’ve been exposed to over the past eight months.

H: Finally, any tips for future AYADs who are going to be assigned in the Philippines?
A: The AYAD experience is going to provide challenges wherever you’re based, so the fact that English is widely used in the Philippines makes achieving your assignment’s objectives just a little bit easier.  That said, I would highly recommend trying to learn some of the local language as soon as you arrive, because you get massive credibility for trying!

*Anna is planning her inter-island trips around Mindoro and Palawan, among other things, as of press time.